Museo ni Jose Rizal

Like most students, I looked forward to school field trips. Visiting museums, historical places, and nature parks are highlights of an academic year. At least for a day, I can escape the drudgery of the schoolroom and see where those events we read on books really happen! 

Last month as it was the National Language Month (Buwan ng Wika), my little Queen B and I read Rizaldy by Eugene Y. Evasco from Chikiting Books. It's a local picture book about a boy named after the Philippines' National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. My little Queen B find it boring and dry, not because of the style of writing or the illustrations. In fact, Rizaldy was a winner of both the Salanga Writer's Prize and the Alcala Illustrator's Prize, the equivalents of the Newberry Medal and Caldecott Medal, respectively, here in the Philippines. She deemed the book uninteresting because Jose Rizal is an unknown to her which is why we visited Museo ni Jose Rizal last month, too.  And here is our adventure...

Museo ni Jose Rizal is located at Calamba, Laguna, just a town away from our home. It is a reproduction of the original two-story, Spanish-Colonial style house where Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861. The original home was destroyed during World War II. 

It is located along Rizal Street and Mercado Street. If you are commuting, first go to Crossing, Calamba and from there you can hail a tricycle that will take you to the museum. If you are in a private vehicle, then might I suggest using Waze for directions. There is no entrance fee to Museo ni Jose Rizal, though a donation can be given for the upkeep of the museum. 

With the statue of the young Rizal.

It was supposed to be just me and my little Queen B but the husband took a leave. They will have a team outing the next day and as the official cook, he has to shop and prepare for their meals. Coincidentally also, we took our cat, Callie, to the veterinary to be spayed. The veterinarian that was recommended to us happens to has his clinic at Calamba, too. My Mama also joined us on this road trip.

Yay to field trips!

The first floor of the replica of Jose Rizal's childhood home focuses on Rizal's family and his childhood, the agricultural town of Calamba, and Rizal's formal schooling at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and Universidad de Santo Tomas. These galleries are entitled Kaliwanagan, Kapaligiran, and Karunungan, respectively. 

What was Laguna like during Rizal's time? Find out with this infographic. 

Even at a young age, Jose Rizal was a naturalist. He enjoyed observing them. In his memoir, he said, "At the close of the day, numerous birds came from all parts, and I, still a child of three years at the most, entertained myself by looking at them with unbelievable joy."

Jose Rizal's parents: Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda. His mother, especially, taught and encouraged the young Rizal to be the man that he eventually became. 

The second floor of Rizal's home provides a glimpse into the Rizal home, its furniture, and furnishings. This is the Bahay-na-Bato gallery.

The boys' bedroom.

The master's bedroom.

The kitchen.

One will end the tour of the replica of Rizal's childhood home with a view of their backyard which was planted with various fruit trees as mentioned by Rizal in his writings. This area must have been the Rizal's children playground. The replicated small nipa hut served as the young Jose's hideaway. 

The building at the side of the Bahay-na-Bato contains the galleries Unang Paglalakbay sa Europa and Pangalawang Paglalakbay sa Europa. The first gallery one centers on Rizal's initial journey to Europe from 1882 to 1887 to study. He went to Madrid, Spain, Paris, France, and Heidelberg, Germany. It was during this period that Jose Rizal wrote his first novel, Noli Me Tangere. Meanwhile, the second gallery discusses Rizal's second journey to Europe from 1888 to 1892. This was when he wrote his second novel, El Filibusterismo, and other political writings. 

With the statue of the adult Jose Rizal.

An infographic about Rizal's journey to Europe.

Like a lot of writers, Rizal also used pen names. These are his pen names with his corresponding signatures.
 Can you spot my little Queen B?

The evolution of Piso, the amount of money where Jose Rizal's face is printed or engraved.

As my little Queen B likes to volunteer to buy something from a nearby sari-sari store, we have been teaching her the value of money and we have started with coins. She can now identify  1, 5, and 10 peso coins. She is also now familiar that Rizal's face can be found in every one-peso coin. I guess we also have to visit Bonifacio's and Mabini's museums so she'll remember them, too. 

I was captivated by this excerpt from one of Rizal's letter to his parents. It's a reminder that God has a purpose for each of us and it is our duty and joy to fulfill that purpose. 

Museo ni Jose Rizal also has a souvenir shop where you can buy trinkets, souvenirs, and books related to Jose Rizal.

Just several meters away from Museo ni Jose Rizal is the well-known Calamba landmark and symbol, the Banga. I remember being able to go to the top before but I guess it is now prohibited for safety reasons. If you are going to Museo ni Jose Rizal, take the time to also visit this landmark. Beside it is Calamba City's Tourism Office. 

The story of the Banga.

After our trip to Museo ni Jose Rizal, the story of Rizaldy has become alive and relevant to our little Queen B. She now looks forward to our readings of it. Oh, I can't wait to take her to Intramuros and Luneta again. Maybe we can also visit Dapitan in the future. 

Have you been to Museo ni Jose Rizal? It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Events and talks are conducted at the museum every now and then. Check their Facebook Page for more details. 

Yours, 

Lady